Double Bill Mini Musings: Undead Beavers and Space Raccoons...

Zombeavers:
What's it about?
Three college chicks head out to the sticks for some relaxation time only to wind up battling undead beavers ... as you do.
Who would I recognise in it?
Rachel Melvin, Cortney Palm, Brent Briscoe, John Mayer, Bill Burr.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
It's a schlocky low budget horror comedy along the lines of Critters meets American Pie, and it's surprisingly good. The focus on using practical beaver puppets adds a pinch of 1980s charm and there's a sprinkling of post-millennium sauciness throughout. Naturally, the script and characters aren't especially deep, but the protagonists are entertaining to be around. While the script takes a little while to get going in the beginning, it quickly finds its footing and tosses out some genuinely funny lines. In addition to the seam of humour running through it, Zombeavers also manages to subvert a few genre expectations, doing its part to blow the dust off what could have become an awful piece of trash. Certainly it's not going to win any awards or critical acclaim, and your mileage may vary, but the filmmakers are obviously having fun with a knowingly daft plot. The main feature clocks in at about 68 minutes, so it wisely doesn't outstay its welcome (the remaining time is dedicated to a blooper reel and the credits). It's a little bit sexy, a little bit sassy, and generally an all-round fun time. They could have gone further with both the nudity and the gore (and, even, the beaver jokes), but all-in-all it's a thoroughly silly slice of entertainment. Good.

Click "READ MORE" below for Guardians of the Galaxy...

Guardians of the Galaxy:
What's it about?
A ragtag band of space outlaws team up to stop an immensely powerful orb falling into the wrong hands.
Who would I recognise in it?
Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Honsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio Del Toro, Vin Diesel (voice) and Bradley Cooper (voice).
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
Freed from many of the interconnected restraints of the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe, Guardians of the Galaxy boldly strikes out on its own and earns triumph. Remembering to mix irreverent fun with genuine heart, James Gunn's entry into the Marvel-verse became a surprise hit. After the 'weird space aliens' dud that was DC's The Green Lantern, the prospect of a film involving a tree that can only say three words and a sarcastic, gun-crazed raccoon didn't initially inspire confidence. However, that big tree (technically a plant) and that fuzzy little bastard are two of the film's many strengths. The central plot might be simple, but the knowing reference to The Maltese Falcon (which features the most macguffiniest macguffin that ever macguffed) flags up the filmmaker's intent. You need a villain and an objective, but they're there to hang an immense amount of entertainment from. The cast are all having a ball, the characters are well drawn, inspiring guffaws and misty eyes in equal measure, and the action seals the deal. Even in terms of the colour palette, GotG sets itself apart. After years of shades of grey, the splashes of near-luminous colour throughout this film help bolster the sense of fun afforded to the viewer. The soundtrack rocks, Chris Pratt makes for an excellent lead, and frankly you could bang on and on about all the things you dig in the flick. Recently there was talk that rivals DC had essentially outlawed humour from their upcoming slate of films ... in the varied light of Guardians of the Galaxy, you have to wonder what on earth they're thinking. Marvel took a chance on little known material, trusted talented individuals to adapt it, and the venture paid off handsomely ... take note Hollywood. Great.